Buyer Planner

Job Posting External

Job Duties

• Purchase Raw Materials and Finished Parts - Place purchase orders with suppliers to support production, service, and project requirements while complying with Purchasing International Standard Organization (ISO) procedures. Ensure correct pricing is used when issuing orders, including sizing orders to obtain optimum price breaks and minimal set up costs while maintaining acceptable inventory levels and minimizing obsolescence risk. Gain approval from appropriate management for special orders and major purchases.  Work closely with suppliers monitor their ability to meet delivery dates, reschedule purchase orders and resolve any supply issues with support from the Sourcing Specialist.  Provide forecasts and other relevant information required by suppliers to support company’s requirements.  Monitor past due orders and work with suppliers, receiving and accounting to resolve issues.
• Shortage Management - Monitor overdue parts and potential supply issues, and act with a high sense of urgency to resolve, working closely with the supplier, Sourcing Specialist, service, and production personnel.  Be able to raise critical issues to Supervision and/or management to obtain additional help expediting and to alert management to potential business interruptions.  Investigate root cause of supply issues and work with appropriate company or supplier personnel to implement preventative action.  Communicate timely updates on estimated delivery due dates to production planners and service planning teams.  
• Planning Analysis / Inventory Management - Monitor and adjust planning parameters to minimize inventory while providing high levels of service given lead time and reliability of supplier.  Analyze actual demand, trends, and forecasts, and adjust inventory plans accordingly.  Identify forecast and demand plan issues and work closely with the Master Schedulers and Demand Planners to resolve.  Investigate causes of slow-moving inventory, implement preventative action, and dispose of obsolete inventory in a cost-effective manner.   
• Miscellaneous - Attend department, staff, supplier, production support, and product team meetings. Initiate and lead meetings to discuss scheduling and product status. Prepare periodic reports to inform managers of supply and inventory issues.  Collaborate with Suppliers, Purchasing and Operations.  Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Less than 2 years related experience 
• Associate degree (Supply Chain or Business)
• Non-degree considered if 6+ years of related experience along with a high school diploma or GED
• Per 8-hour shift.  Sit 7 hours and stand 1 hour.  Both typical and non-typical office environment (Low to moderate noise level, low exposure to hot/cold temperatures, dust, fumes, and vibrations.)  Regular interaction with others and performs a degree of independent work.  Physical and mental demands are akin to the majority of office positions with prolonged periods of sitting and prolonged use of a computer/keyboard.  Infrequent lifting, walking, and climbing stairs.  Occasional use of office equipment (copiers, printers, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or two-year degree along with three to five years of prior experience in material control, planning or purchasing.
• A firm understanding of Materials Requirement Planning (MRP), with SAP experience.
• Good computer experience, including excellent spreadsheet skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.